Weekend picks: Behold the American Grands in Elgin

American Grands XVIII returns with three shows on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Elgin Community College.

Visitors can interact with Sea World penguins in one of many activities at the 2013 Travel & Adventure Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.Courtesy of the Travel & Adventure Show

Former "Wicked" star Emily Rozek performs Broadway standards with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra as part of the concert "Wicked Divas" at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents Prokofiev's classic ballet "Cinderella" at the Genesee Theatre on Jan. 26.

Characters from the PIXAR film "Brave" join the cast of Disney On Ice's "Rockin' Ever After," which is set to play the Allstate Arena in Rosemont and the United Center in Chicago.

By Scott Morgan and Laura Stewart

A dozen grandsSee the spectacle of music performed by pianists on 12 grand pianos when American Grands XVIII plays Saturday at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $24; $15 kids ages 12 and younger. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26

Dog daysThe Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake plays host to two days of dog shows as the Park Shore Kennel Club hosts its own dog show on Saturday, Jan. 26, and the Chain O' Lakes Kennel Club hosts a dog show on Sunday, Jan. 27. Exhibitors and breeders from the Midwest and beyond showcase and discuss various breeds. The Lake County Fairgrounds is at 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Admission is $5 per car. (847) 680-7200 or visit lcfair.com. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 26-27

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Skating at the 94th floorWhile it may not be the city's tallest building, the John Hancock Building and Observatory can certainly brag about having the world's highest ice skating rinkat the 94th floor observatory, 875 N. Michigan Ave. Offering 360-degree views of Chicago, the lake and even Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin on a clear day, the 900-square-foot skating rink has a synthetic surface so you don't even have to bundle up to make your figure eights. You can still have a hot chocolate, a bite to eat or a cocktail at the Lavazza Espression Café after you take a spin around the rink. Each 25-minute skating session is $5 (admission to the observatory is a separate fee) and skate rental is $1. (888) 875-8439 or JHOChicago.com. 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily through April 8

Spring blossomsOn Saturday, the Lincoln Park Conservatory opens its annual Spring Flower Show, featuring descendants of the azaleas that once bloomed at the World Columbian Exposition of 1893. The show also features a changing selection of spring blooming plants, including azaleas, annuals and perennials. The Lincoln Park Conservatory is at 2391 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago. Free admission. (312) 742-7736 or chicagoparkdistrict.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily starting Saturday, Jan. 26; runs through Sunday, May 12

Snow way outNavy Pier's annual winter party returns this year with snow-sculpting competitions among 15 professional teams from the U.S. and around the world. Watch teams from Spain, Mexico, Czech Republic, Russia, Germany and other countries carve and mold snow into magical creations that are illuminated by a festive light display each night of Snow Days at Navy Pier's Gateway Park, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Enjoy snow painting and other kids' activities including a new interactive snowboarding experience and live entertainment on the Family Pavilion Stage. Free admission. navypier.com/snowdays. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27

Icy princessesThe Disney/Pixar princess Merida from "Brave" joins the lineup in the latest Disney On Ice show "Rockin' Ever After." Catch it first at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, or later at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $15-$26 with $45-$75 VIP tickets. (800) 745-3000, allstatearena.com or unitedcenter.com. 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 26-27, in Rosemont; then Wednesday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 10, in Chicago

'It Happened One Night'Step back in time to see the 1934 comedy classic film "It Happened One Night," starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Admission is $7.25 per person. (773) 871-5504 or musicboxtheatre.com. 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 26-27

Big brawlsThe World Flyweight Championship is on the line with UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Dodson Saturday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $40-$250. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26

Humorous whodunitSuccessful artist Jack devises a plot to kills his art dealer after he discovers the man has tricked him in the comedy whodunit "The Art of Murder" by Joe DiPietro ("I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," "Memphis"). American Theater Company's Jason W. Gerace directs Fox Valley Repertory's season-opening production at the Pheasant Run Resort main stage, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $32, $42. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org. Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27; show runs through March 17

Memory lane aheadBob Abrams, guitarist and vocalist in the Buckinghams, and Mick Brock, former member of Herman's Hermits, will join forces Saturday on a musical love letter to the 1960s and 1970s. "Generation: The Sixties Experience" will feature Abrams, Brock and their band ripping through high-energy renditions of classic '60s-'70s pop songs at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets start at $10. Go to viper-alley.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26

Count the coinsThe Coin Club of Crystal Lake hosts its Mid-Winter Classic Coin Show in the grand ballroom at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. The show features U.S. and foreign coins and paper money, gold and silver bullion and more. Fifty tables of items will be on display. Free admission and parking. For information, call Dave at (815) 814-1255 or Fred at (630) 677-3866. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27

'Thoroughly Modern Millie'Schaumburg on Stage presents the musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie," which re-creates the "roaring twenties" with a full orchestra, big tap dance numbers and more at the Prairie Center for The Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $18 adults; $16 for students and seniors ages 62 and older. Dinner packages available. (847) 345-0092 or schaumburgonstage.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27

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